Founder Lead Teacher/Guide

Founding Lead Teacher/Guide ⚠ To apply, you MUST email us a Loom video at rachel@kindling.academy. Applications without a video will not be reviewed. Kindling Academy — Austin, TX At Kindling Academy, we're building a small, intentional learning environment rooted in curiosity, capability, creativity, and connection. Year one will be intentionally small. Rather than scaling quickly or filling seats to hit enrolment targets, we're focused on building the right founding community for both children and educators. Our first year may look like: One mixed-age cohort with a tighter age range Or two classrooms (one for 3-6s and one for 6-9s) Either way class sizes will remain intentionally small: Maximum ~15 children per classroom At least one lead guide and an assistant per classroom This is not a "growth at all costs" school. We care deeply about building the right culture from the beginning. We recorded a short video walking you through the details and sharing more about the opportunity.

START HERE

-> https://www.loom.com/share/992e8a06c69942debd0eb8f9868e36ec What Makes Kindling Different This is a founding team role, closer to a startup than a traditional school.

Small & Intentional:

Low student to teacher ratio, relationships with children and their families matters deeply.

Healthy Environment:

We prioritize clean air, natural light, and non-toxic materials. Outdoor as

Default:

Outside of the Montessori inspired work cycle, outdoor learning is our standard, not a special occasion. Freedom within

Structure:

This is not a school where every detail is scripted. Guides will have meaningful autonomy, ownership, and creative input within a thoughtfully designed framework. We're looking for educators who enjoy building, experimenting, refining, and contributing ideas, while still valuing consistency, clarity, and structure for children.

Builder's Mindset Required:

This is a founding-stage environment. Not everything is fully decided yet. Some systems will evolve. Some ideas will change. Some things we try may not work. We are looking for people who: adapt quickly, communicate openly, stay grounded through ambiguity, enjoy helping shape something meaningful from the ground up If you need every detail finalized before beginning, this likely won't feel like the right environment. We intend to blend Montessori foundations with project-based learning (PBL), creative work, and a default-to-outdoors philosophy. The Role This is not a traditional teaching position. As a founding Lead Guide at Kindling, you'll help shape the daily experience of the school alongside a small, highly collaborative team. During the summer buildout phase, your role may include: helping prepare learning environments contributing ideas and feedback collaborating on classroom rhythms and systems participating in planning sessions helping refine projects, routines, and operational details building relationships with the founding team and families During the school year, Lead Guides will: lead and care for a small cohort of children prepare and maintain a beautiful, calm, engaging environment support children academically, socially, and emotionally communicate closely with families document and share student growth thoughtfully collaborate closely with teammates contribute to the evolving culture and systems of the school You'll have meaningful creative freedom within the broader vision and structure of the school but this is not an environment where every guide operates completely independently.

We value educators who:

bring ideas take initiative communicate openly adapt quickly collaborate generously care deeply about the overall experience of the school, not just their individual classroom Because we are a small founding team, there will also be moments where everyone pitches in outside of a traditional classroom role.

That means:

helping plan events supporting operational projects setting up environments collaborating on family onboarding solving unexpected problems together Who we are looking for… We're looking for exceptional humans first. Montessori training is preferred, but not required.

More important to us:

strong judgment with children emotional intelligence curiosity warmth initiative communication skills love of learning adaptability comfort collaborating closely with families and a small team Ideally you: have experience in progressive or learner-centered education are energized by creative environments are naturally proactive enjoy both structure and innovation are tech-curious and open to learning new tools believe childhood should feel joyful, capable, connected, and alive

Details Location:

600

Cuernavaca Drive N, Austin, TX Start Date:

ASAP Compensation:

$80,000 +

Benefits The Vibe:

Calm, not chaotic. Alive, not over-structured. Intentional.

To Apply:

The "Loom-to-Loom" Process We do not use resumes or cover letters in our initial review. We are looking for presence, energy, and alignment. Watch our intro video at the top of this post to get a feel for the land and our vision. Record a 5-minute Loom video of your own. In your video, please tell us: Why this specific "intentional/unconventional" model resonates with you. How you think about "productive struggle" and outdoor learning. How you feel about the "Founding" aspect—building a system vs. following one. Any questions you have for us? If you are not montessori certified please include an additional few minutes to your loom explaining how you would approach individualized, mastery-based learning in a mixed-age classroom without relying heavily on screens, AI programs, or students all moving through the same lesson at the same pace. We'd love to hear concrete examples or systems you would use.

For example:

How would you support children working at different levels in reading or math? How would you keep track of student progress? How would you allow children to move toward mastery at their own pace while still maintaining a calm, functioning classroom? How would you balance freedom, structure, and accountability?

Send your Loom link to:

rachel@kindling.academy

Pay:

$80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Health insurance Application Question(s): This role requires submitting a 5-minute Loom video to rachel@kindling.academy. Have you done this or will you do this before considering your application complete? Do you have experience in progressive, Montessori, project-based, or learner-centered education settings?" (Yes, Montessori certified / Yes, other progressive model / Some exposure / No but I'm genuinely interested)

Education:

High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

Teaching:

3 years (Required)

Language:

English (Required) Ability to

Commute:

Austin, TX 78733 (Required) Ability to

Relocate:

Austin, TX 78733: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location:

In person